Breds Open 2012 Season Against Valpo

Friday, February 17

Murray, Ky.

2 p.m.

Murray State

Valparaiso

Photo by: Arkansas State Sports Information

2/17/2012 9:18:00 AM | Baseball

GAME NOTES

GAMES 1-3

MURRAY STATE vs. VALPARAISO
Feb. 17-19, 2012 • Murray, Ky.

First Pitch
Friday: 2 p.m.; Saturday:12 p.m.; Sundlay: 1 p.m.
Series History: MUR leads 1-0
Last Meeting: MUR 5, VALPO 3 (3/13/94)
Stadium: Reagan Field (Capacity: 800)
Dimensions: 330 (LF), 415 (CF), 340 (RF)
Live Stats: www.GoRacers.com

MURRAY STATE THOROUGHBREDS
Overall Record: 0-0-0
Conference Record: 0-0-0
Last 5/Last 10: -/-
Streak: -
Website: www.GoRacers.com
Head Coach: Rob McDonald
Career Record: 180-252-2 (9th year)
Record at MSU: 180-252-2 (9th year)

VALPARAISO CRUSADERS
Overall Record: 0-0-0
Conference Record: 0-0-0
Last 5/Last 10: -/-
Streak: -
Website: www.valpoathletics.com
Head Coach: Tracy Woodson
Career Record: 120-157-0 (6th year)
Record at EKU: 120-157-0 (6th year)

FIRST PITCH
The Breds open the 2012 season at home as they welcome Valparaiso to the friendly confines of Johnny Reagan Field. The series is set to get underway at 2 p.m. on Friday, with a 12 p.m. first pitch on Saturday and a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.

INSIDE THE SERIES
The Breds and Crusades have met only one time prior on the diamond. Back in 1994, the two teams squared off in a tournament hosted by Louisville. The Breds won both their games in the tournament, including the 5-3 victory over the Crusaders.

Probable Pitching Matchups
FRIDAY, FEB 17
Pitcher    W-L    ERA    K/BB
Tyler Beers (R)    0-0    0.00    0/0
Tyler Deetjen (L)    0-0    0/00    0/0

SATURDAY, FEB 18
Pitcher    W-L    ERA    K/BB
Cameron Finch (R)    0-0    0.00    0/0
Kyle Womrington (R)    0-0    0.00    0/0

SUNDAY, FEB 19
Pitcher    W-L    ERA    K/BB
Tim Vonder Haar (R)    0-0    0.00    0/0
Kevin Wild (R)    0-0    0.00    0/0

Opening Day
This Breds open their 67th season of college baseball as they welcome Valparaiso to Johnny Reagan Field. The Breds are 29-37-1 in season openers, including going 3-5 under head coach Rob McDonald.

Opening at Home
The Breds are opening at home for the first time since the 2009 season. MSU opened the season at home five times from 2003-09.

vs. Valpo
The Breds and Crusaders are meeting for just the second time on the diamond. The weekend series will mark the first time the teams will play at Reagan Field. The only other meeting between the two teams happened in Louisville in 1994, MSU came away with a 5-3 victory.

vs. The Horizon League
The Breds own a commanding 51-12-1 record against teams from the Horizon League. The majority of the games took place during the 1970's as MSU went 38-2-1 against Illinois-Chicago. MSU has not played a team from the Horizon League since Wright State in 2005. Butler was scheduled to play at Reagan Field in 2008, but the weekend series was canceled due to heavy snow.

Weekend Weather
The weather for the weekend is looking better than year's past. For Friday's opener, temperatures are expected to reach 56 degrees. The high on Saturday is 52, with 46 being the high on Sunday. The forecast has shifted and is calling for a chance of rain on Saturday.

Beers Opening-Day Starter
Senior right hander Tyler Beers will get the start on the mound on opening day. It marks the second-straight season Beers will take the mound in the season opener.

Finch Moves into Rotation
After spending his freshman season at the back end of the bullpen, right hander Cameron Finch has moved into the starting rotation in 2012. Last season, Finch made 17 of his 18 appearances out of the bullpen and led the team with four saves.

Returning Offense
The Breds will bring much of their offense back this season as they return seven of the top 10 hitters from a team that ranked third in the OVC with a .306 average. Junior Brandon Elliott leads the offense after hitting .384 with 40 runs scored last season.

McDonald Moves to Dugout
For the first time in his head coaching career, Rob McDonald will stay in the dugout. After spending the first eight seasons in the third-base coaching box, McDonald has turned those duties over to assistant Dan Skirka. Skirka is moving across the diamond after spending the last two-season's as the first-base coach. Volunteer assistant Ryan Hanson will serve as the first-base coach.

Musical Chairs on Defense
The Breds will look quite different on defense this season as several returners will be in different positions on opening day. Brandon Elliott, who started at shortstop the past two seasons, will get the opening-day nod in left field. Last year's third baseman, Paul Ritzheimer, will get the start in center field. Travis Isaak will move from second base to third base, while Cody Larson will move back to his more natural position in right field.

Innings Return on Mound
Unlike last season, Murray State returns seven pitchers that made at least 12 appearances last season. They also return 13 wins and six saves.

Busy Start to Season
Murray State will have a busy start to the 2012 season as the Breds will play eight games during the first 10 days of the season. Fans will have plenty of chances to see the team over that span, as seven of the eight games will be played at Reagan Field.

Change to Conference Format
Fans will notice a major change in the conference schedule this season as the OVC has made the switch to playing Friday-Saturday-Sunday, with one game each day.

On Deck
The Breds continued their season-opening homestand as they welcome Mid-Continent to Reagan Field on Feb. 21. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.